“The past few years of my career have been the most fulfilling so far and I’m super excited to release my next artist album ‘All Stand Together‘ as a snapshot of this,” announces Felix De Laet, better known as the renowned producer and DJ Lost Frequencies. It’s impossible not to come across his catchy hymns; he has performed at every major festival, his tracks are played on the radio up and down, and he got a Brit Award nomination for ‘Best International Song.’
And though it may sometimes appear so, success doesn’t happen overnight. Felix started music production in his late teens, originally experimenting by making his own bootlegs and versions of tracks he loved. From his shy beginnings, but with big dreams in his mind and determination to always learn within the industry and music-making, he has already exceeded his own wildest dreams.
While I am writing these lines, the album plays and I sing along to the chorus out of the track of the same name as the album, “And if we all stand together, we can’t fall. Not if we all hold each other as we roam.” It’s not only feel-good electronics but also carries an important message for our times in between the lines. And is, so to speak, the signpost for the album that shows the strengths of the musical talent. Varied, uplifting, and reflective of his journey, it captures his belief, “As long as my fans are understanding my vision, that validation is everything to me as an artist.”
In our interview, Felix tells us more about his inspirations, what success means to him, and the importance of staying true to the music he wants to create.
photography by Rafael Deprost
interview and words by Sigrun Guggenberger
Felix, first of all thanks so much for your time! Your new album that is out on November 10th 2023 is called “All Stand Together”. I find this a pretty good message for our times. Was that your intention or why did you chose this title?
Thank you! Yes, it was. When I was writing the title track that is the second on the album, I felt like it was a real snapshot of where I am in my career right now, musically. It has a funky feel that is both dance and pop, yet has all these other elements with the rich vocal, piano chords and a positive, uplifting message. When I wrote it, I knew that this was what I wanted to call the album and I hope my fans feel the message too.
How would you describe the album in three words?
Uplifting, feel-good, fun
You take your inspiration for making new music from your surroundings. What are things or places or moments that inspired you for this new album?
I think it’s a collection of a number of things. These past two years since the pandemic, I’ve been able to travel to amazing places with my music, work with amazing collaborators and throughout working on this album, I’ve also learnt a lot about myself and the music I make at this current time. I’m constantly inspired by the people and places around me, but overall I wanted to create something that signifies this confident and fun chapter that I’m in!
“In the early days I was pretty shy and nervous, but now that has grown in time to be a lot more confident and proud and has helped me get to where I am today.”
How long do you usually work on a track to finish?
It totally depends! Some tracks I work on for months at a time, working on the road with such a busy touring schedule can take time, other times I can be waiting for the perfect vocalist or re-writing tracks. This whole album has been a labour of love for me to create and I’m so pleased with the final record.
Do you also feel a sort pressure that comes with being popular, like living up to people’s expectations for your new releases?
I think there is a pressure for any artist in this industry, I just know that everything I release, and have ever released, I’m super proud of. For me, its important to always stay true to the music I want to create and lean into that, from experimenting and drawing on where I currently am but as long as my fans are understanding my vision, that validation is everything to me as an artist.
You started music by playing the piano in your youth, and at the same time you were listening to a lot of electronic music. When you had your first laptop you started with music production. How old where you back then and did you ever dream really big already and imagine you would become that famous?
I was in my late teens then, it first started as a hobby and that is actually where my artist name Lost Frequencies came from. I was originally experimenting making my own bootlegs and versions of tracks I loved and some of these were “forgotten” tracks, such as Easton Corbin’s ‘Are You With Me’. A lot of people hadn’t heard that song in a commercially successful way in Europe, but I loved it, so that was just one example and my version was a release that really changed my life in kicking off my career, then later being signed. I always dreamed big but the direction and joys that being Lost Frequencies has brought to me, both professional and personal, has already exceeded my wildest dreams.
“With my new album I wanted to create something that signifies this confident and fun chapter that I’m in.”
The energy of when you play live in front of those massive crowds and your fans is just unbelievable. How do you feel standing up there and how did this feeling change from your very beginnings, your first live gigs?
Confidence! In the early days I was pretty shy and nervous, but now that has grown in time to be a lot more confident and proud and has helped me get to where I am today. I love the buzz of touring, from smaller clubs to festival stages, my live show to DJ sets, there is no greater feeling than performing live.
What does success mean to you?
Happiness and staying true to myself.
In an interview around 5 years ago you said you still have to learn so many more things about the music industry, even though at that point you had already thought you understood it all. What are the things nowadays that you still want to learn?
As an artist, I don’t believe you can ever stop learning. The industry is constantly evolving and changing and it is important to adapt with the times, so for me, it is ensuring that my finger is on the pulse and that I am wanting to progress with my music as a whole.
“My advice to young artists? To not give up and stay true to yourself, you need to be your biggest believer from the very beginning.”
I read somewhere that if you wouldn’t do music you could imagine to do fashion. What sort of style would your brand be?
It would be a cross between high-fashion and streetwear, for sure! I really enjoy playing around with fashion, some of my favourite brands are Aime Leon Dore and Jacquemus that capture that vibe both in the US and Europe. I find my personal style to sit in the middle of those two, so something with that feel – and a lot of fun colours and patterns.
What good advice would you give to a young artist who is just at his beginning?
To not give up and stay true to yourself, you need to be your biggest believer from the very beginning.
The most important thing in life is … ?
Happiness, health and love
